Is Being a Daughter a Blessing or a Curse ?

Daughter:A blessing or a Burden? Chapter 13

Daughter: A Blessing or a Burden?

Chapter 13

"Good that both of you have come. I have cooked food. Wash your hands and face, eat, and then take food to your father at the shop."

"No, Auntie. Please pack our food in the tiffin as well. We will eat there with Uncle."

"Yes, Mom. Saba is right. Please put our food in it too. Dad must be hungry, and he also has to take his medicine."

"Okay, but you must be hungry too. You must be tired after walking around the market."

"And Sonia, did you buy anything for Saba to eat?"

"Yes. We ate gol gappay."

"So Saba, did you like the gol gappay of Punjab?"

"Yes, Auntie. I liked them very much. The sweet and sour sauce was delicious."

"Good. I will pack food for all of you. If you want, eat it there; otherwise, eat it when you come back."

"Okay, Auntie."

"Here, I have packed the food. Is this enough for all three of you?"

"Yes, Auntie, it is enough. The biryani looks very tasty."

"When you taste it, you will enjoy it even more."

"Mom cooks very delicious food, Saba."

"Now go quickly. Uncle must be hungry."

"Should we take water from here?"

"No, there is water at the shop."

"Is the shop far away?"

"No, not very far. We can even walk."

"Then should we walk?"

"Have you not become tired after walking so much in the market? I am tired. I cannot walk anymore. I am calling a rickshaw."

"Walking would be fun."

"Not for me. I am too tired."

"People say Punjabi girls are very strong, but you became tired so quickly."

"I am Punjabi, but I still cannot walk that much."

"Fine, as you wish."

"Sonia, look!"

"What happened?"

"That bike rider was staring at you."

"Leave him. Some people are just like that."

"Rickshaw driver, please stop!"

"Yes, where do you want to go?"

"It is nearby. How much will you charge?"

"Whatever you want to give."

"Will fifty rupees be enough?"

"No, that is too little. I will take fifty per person."

"The distance is very short."

"Then you can walk."

"Sonia is right. We should walk."

"No, I cannot walk anymore. Let us pay him and go."

"Uncle, we brought food."

"Good. First let me wash my hands."

"You brought so much biryani."

"It is for all three of us."

"Oh, so both of you will eat with me too."

"Yes."

"So Saba, how was your day?"

"It was very good, Uncle. I went to the market with Sonia. We ate gol gappay and had a lot of fun."

"So you liked them?"

"Yes, very much. We do not get gol gappay like these in Karachi."

"Then I will bring gol gappay for my daughter every day."

"If you bring them every day, my throat will get sore."

"Okay, then I will bring them whenever you want."

"Uncle, why are they emptying the shop next to yours?"

"A ladies' beauty parlour was here. The woman who owned it got married, so she is moving away."

"Her marriage must be far from here."

"Yes, in Gujranwala."

"How long had the parlour been here?"

"About ten years."

"Then it must have had many customers."

"Yes, many customers. The shop stayed open till late at night."

"Uncle, why don't you rent this shop?"

"What will I do with two shops?"

"Not for yourself. For Sister Maryam."

"What will Maryam do?"

"Please don't mind, but may I say something?"

"Of course."

"Maryam is very talented. She stitches clothes beautifully. Why don't you open a boutique for her here?"

"Do you think she can do it?"

"Yes. She already stitches clothes for people in the neighborhood, but they do not pay her properly."

"I think Saba's idea is very good."

"Maryam's committee money is also coming soon."

"Yes, it is about two hundred thousand rupees."

"But a boutique needs more money than that."

"I also have some savings. I will support her if she wants to do this."

"And if more money is needed, I will help too."

"No, dear. That won't be necessary. Your idea itself is a big help."

"Now let us eat."

"How much biryani should I serve you, Saba?"

"Just a little. I am still full because of the gol gappay."

"Then have some raita too."

"Where did Uncle go?"

"I don't know."

"Uncle, where did you go?"

"I went to buy cold drinks for all of you."

"How did you know I love cold drinks with biryani?"

"So you really like them?"

"Yes, Uncle."

"That is why I brought a bottle of Coke."

"Thank you, Uncle."

"Children nowadays love cold drinks with biryani."

"Thank you very much."

"Now eat your food peacefully."

"I will talk to the owner of that shop."

"Did you tell Maryam about this idea?"

"Yes, Dad. Saba talked to her in the morning. Maryam agrees, but she is worried about money."

"If my daughter wants to do it, I will support her."

"I am sure Maryam's boutique will be successful."

"I also believe in my daughter."

"We all will support her."

"Exactly."